WASHINGTON, DC (LOOTPRESS) – The U.S. military will no longer allow transgender individuals to enlist and will cease performing or facilitating gender transition procedures for active service members, according to a memo from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth filed in federal court on Monday.
The policy change follows an executive order signed last month by President Donald Trump, which restricts the service of transgender individuals in the armed forces. In a statement, Trump argued that allowing transgender individuals to serve is “not consistent with the humility and selflessness required of a service member.”
Immediate Policy Changes
The directive, outlined in Hegseth’s memo dated February 7, states:
- Effective immediately, all new enlistments of individuals with a history of gender dysphoria are paused.
- All medical procedures related to gender transition for active-duty service members, whether scheduled or unscheduled, are also paused.
- Existing transgender service members will be “treated with dignity and respect,” though further details on their status will be provided by the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness.
Legal Challenges and Service Member Concerns
The Pentagon’s decision is already facing legal challenges. Last week, a U.S. District Court judge asked lawyers representing the Trump administration to ensure that six transgender service members suing to block the order would not be removed from the military while the case is under review.
Civil rights groups have also filed for an emergency restraining order, following reports of transgender service members facing discrimination and removal.
One of the plaintiffs, Miriam Perelson, a 28-year-old transgender service member stationed at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, reported that she was removed from female sleeping quarters, reassigned to an empty classroom with a cot, and barred from using female restrooms.
Impact and Response
The Department of Defense estimates there are 1.3 million active-duty personnel, with transgender advocacy groupssuggesting there could be as many as 15,000 transgender service members currently serving. However, military officials claim the actual number is in the low thousands.
Advocates argue the policy is a discriminatory rollback of LGBTQ+ rights, while supporters of the administration’s move say it is necessary to maintain military readiness and unit cohesion.
The legal battle over transgender service members is expected to continue in the coming months, with potential implications for military policy and civil rights protections.
